JIM KIRBY

Condolences & Memories (16 entries)

• I'm sorry I'm late with this tribute. Jim would contact me every year. I was waiting for a message that would no longer come. I knew he had cancer. Jim was one of the kindest and most fascinating people I ever met. He was a world traveler like myself whom I could relate to. He showed up as a SERVAS traveler on my doorstep in San Lorenzo, Paraguay in May, 1979. I was a SERVAS host and outgoing Peace Corps volunteer. Jim asked to stay the usual three days. I told him he could stay as long as he wanted. He stayed ten. He traveled seamlessly around the area with minimal information. Every evening he told me something different about his life, CUSO, Thailand and all that. We both loved hockey. I remember him telling me about an upcoming player from Edmonton that I should notice. I became a lifelong Gretzky fan. I stayed with Jim four times in Winnipeg. I remember Jim's newspaper drawing of Winnipeg Jets action. I remember listening to Pierre Trudeau on the radio repatriating the Constitution. I visited his parents twice in Whitemouth. Leslie and the boys might remember me from January 2001 when I flew to Cuba. What a wonderful soul! - Posted by: Otto Wiegand (Friend) on: Nov 29, 2024

• Jim was older than Brent and I, he was Mad magazine collector and could throw a mean baseball on the farm. I still have a drawing from that quiet great talent. He will be missed . - Posted by: kevin kirby (great uncle Bill & Marge and Jim son) on: Dec 24, 2022

• Jim, you were such a humble and kind soul. Your humor was always such a bright light wherever I would see you. And of course your Harvest of Tomatoes was the best. R.I.P. my friend. I will miss you. - Posted by: Hank Koreman (Friend and Fellow Standard Patient also Background performer.) on: Jul 29, 2022

• Condolences to Jim's family. Jim was a former classmate in Whitemouth many years ago, but not long enough ago to forget his humour and talent. - Posted by: Myrna (Molloy) Cloutier (former classmate) on: Jul 25, 2022

• Dear Leslie, Daniel and Cam, We are so saddened to have heard about your loss of Jim. He will be so missed by so many. Jim lived life on his terms and stood strong for nature and the causes he loved. I was always intrigued by Jim and Leslie's traveling stories and know he's enjoying seeing the whole world from above. Hugs to your family. Love, Lori & Manny & family. - Posted by: Lori Novak (neighbour & friend) on: Jul 22, 2022

• Jim was not only my acting friend, but we had a friendship outside the fim industry. Only those that were close to him really knew his humour and wit! We attended all the ACTRA functions together & Jim would sit there patiently listening to all my stories & adventures....what a trooper! I miss him all the time & will always know that he's smiling down on us all. The world lost a really great person & that absence will be felt. My hugs are being sent out to Leslie, Cam & Dan. - Posted by: Lorrie Papadopoulos (Friend) on: Jul 17, 2022

• Leslie & family: So very, very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Jim. Sending sincerest condolences from Kenora. Marjorie Zimmer (Fran`s sister). - Posted by: Marjorie Zimmer (acquaintance) on: Jul 16, 2022

• RIP Jim. - Although I hadn't had any contact with you since leaving high school, I will say I had never forgotten you. Every couple of years your name would come to mind and I would wonder what course your life had taken. It was the funny and entertaining cartoons that you would sketch in school, usually highlighting one of the students or teachers encounters, that left a lasting impression on me and your talent was plainly apparent. Condolences to the family... - Posted by: Dale Manning (Fellow high school student, Whitemouth Collegiate.) on: Jul 11, 2022

• We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He will be greatly missed! - Posted by: Heather Madill (Casting Director) on: Jul 11, 2022

• Leslie and sons. I was so sad to read of Jim's passing though had heard of his struggles in the past few years. I will always remember his quiet smile and kindness to everyone. His smile got so much bigger and brighter when he met and married you Leslie, and then when your sons came along. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have. Sending hugs and prayers to all of you. - Posted by: Betty (Thomson) King (Friend of the family from Whitemouth) on: Jul 10, 2022

• So very sorry to read this today, my sincere deepest condolences to Jim’s family, friends and extended Film family. Always ready to be called for another adventure; Jim would drop what he was doing and head to set when I called on him. He would always smile when we’d see each other and was respectful to everyone in his path. So much love to everyone. Jim, you will be missed. - Posted by: Shelly Anthis (Former Casting Director ) on: Jul 10, 2022

• Few words and huge actions is so true. Jim was always a quiet man, but somehow made it clear that he cared a great deal. One of my favourite memories is walking through the hall at the University of Manitoba, and there was an art fair. I remember being drawn to this one piece and looking through it, recognizing small things and finally seeing Cam and Dan's faces and realising it was Jim's piece. It was such a joy to connect those dots, and to see this representation of Jim in an unexpected place. His work brought me joy on a hard day. I remember seeing Jim later and complimenting him on it, which he of course brushed off. What an incredibly lovely human being. He will be missed. - Posted by: Peggy (Neighbor) on: Jul 09, 2022

• A kind soul entered the spirit world when Jim passed away. I met Jim in the late 1980s at a Manitoba Naturalists’ Meeting (now Manitoba Nature). It was at one of these meetings I met his lovely wife, Leslie. Jim and Leslie were well matched and in love. For those of us who knew Jim and love the Winnipeg Folk Festival, we will feel sadness that Jim is not with us this weekend for the festival. It was always a comfort to see Jim in his volunteer role. A friendly face in a flock of folkies! Jim might appear to be quiet, perhaps even shy to the casual observer. Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Jim, knew a man who was smart, artistic, funny, and loved nature. In long ago days, I had the privilege of going on wilderness canoeing trips with Jim and Leslie. Jim was the ideal person to have on a canoe trip. He would literally carry his weight in canoes and packs on the portages! Never a complaint, even the mosquitos loved Jim! He could lead people into the snowy woods in frigid temperatures without a trail and do most of the work for the group. I recall trekking on a back country ski trail over New Years. He was leading a trip for the Naturalists’ Society to their cabin on Mantario Lake, about 20km. The route Jim chose was through the back woods. A normal person may lead the group across the frozen lakes to the destination but not Jim. He took us through the Boreal Forest with all the rock outcrops, swamps, deadfall, and snow. Lots and lots of snow. There were no markings. No trail. Jim seemed to know where he was going. Not only did Jim lead the group, but he broke the trail which is hard work! The one advantage of going through the forest, there was little wind and no windchill, but regardless the temperature was minus 40! Some trip leaders would not even try, and some participants would not go but with Jim we knew we would be safe. This is just one of many examples of where Jim demonstrated through action his leadership and the confidence people had in his character. Jim lived through action. On canoe trips or ski trips, he helped people be better and to believe - a belief in self and nature. Life is an analogous to Jim’s approach to canoe trips and ski trips. He broke trail for those he cared about and helped navigate life for others. He did this for me after my accident. A testament to a person’s character can be seen when catastrophe enters another person’s life. In my case, I had a life changing car accident in 1996. Jim went over and beyond what I would have expected. He used his artistic ability to brighten up the ICU and other hospital rooms that I found myself with his creativity. The signs, posters, and images he created to help me in those dark days. They will forever be cherished by me and my family. Jim and nature seem to be in sync. It didn’t matter if we were hiking, skiing, or canoeing he was gentle with the people with him and with the nature around us. It was almost as though Jim was energized by the greenery of a tree or the uniqueness of a snowflake. He had a sense of being in rhythm with nature. The same way there is a rhythm of waves against a rocky shore or wind through the pines. His spirit would sway with the trees or hug the shore with a wave. The arrow of time is relentless and in one direction. Jim was the type of person that enjoyed the moment. If success in life is the ability of being present in the moment. The summation of Jim’s moments demonstrates a successful life indeed. It was March 2020 when I last saw Jim. I had no idea he was so ill, but Jim would never say anything. As I reflect on his life, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know Jim and his family. When in the forest and the wind is tickling the trees, it may be Jim’s spirit is doing the rustling. Profound condolences to Leslie, Daniel and Cameron from the Fletcher family. Steven Fletcher - Posted by: Steven Fletcher (Friend) on: Jul 09, 2022

• Such a wonderful guy. I will think of you when I drive past the farm Jim. Hugs to you Leslie, Daniel and Cameron. Take care, Jil, Tori and Brett. - Posted by: Jil Sutyla (Friend ) on: Jul 09, 2022

• I am so sorry for your loss Leslie. I enjoy chatting with Jim about all his adventures being on movie sets and talking about all the famous people he met. He will be missed by many. Sending you light and love during this difficult time. - Posted by: Nurse jen (Nurse) on: Jul 09, 2022

• Jim you were humble yet always funny. I will forever remember you when I eat chick pea wraps. You are home now! - Posted by: Dawn Hillstrom (Co-worker (Standardized Patient Program)) on: Jul 09, 2022